ataraxion | video;

[Bran's smile is only a little wan--and that is only because he is distracted, because Summer is distracted. The great direwolf is sitting at his feet, but Summer has grown large enough that he is still visible in the video feed. Something is ailing the direwolf, making him skittish. He huffs a whine as the video begins, and Bran looks down at him, and lays a hand atop Summer's head.]

Be still.

[Summer's ears flick, nervously; he blinks, and whines again. Bran looks to his device, his hand still resting atop his direwolf's head.]

I am looking for paper--perhaps twenty or thirty sheets of paper, that is not being used. Most things on this ship are written by typing, but there must be some paper somewhere. I can make a trade for it, if it is necessary. And I will need tape-- [That is a new word, but he says it smoothly.] --and scissors, with which to cut. They must be able to do fine work, I think.

[Restlessly, Summer raises his head. The video jars a little, and Bran quickly reaches to steady it, as he gives his direwolf a slightly anxious look.]

In Westeros, great tourneys are often held, where knights prove their merit in the lists. That means a joust, though there is sometimes melee fighting as well. I have never seen a tourney, only heard tales of them--and we have very few knights here. So we are going to let our direwolves race instead, and have a feast, just as if it were a true tourney. [Summer whines again, more plantively. He shrugs out from beneath Bran's hand, turning in a tight circle.] Summer, quiet. It is only a shadow.

There must be a prize, at the end, and I have been trying to think of something good. I have ideas, but they aren't very good, so I thought--

[But what he thought is never realized, because Summer moves quite sharply then, twisting away from Bran and the video with a sharp growl. Bran's face pinches in worry, and he grabs hastily for his device, to steady it again, before he shuts it off. It is an ungainly end to the message, but his concern trumps his good manners.]

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[Effie is used to the staring, both here and whenever she tours the Districts, so she doesn't even acknowledge it when Bran's gaze lingers on her.]

You can have them -- I can't imagine you'll have anything that I could possibly want. [There isn't a single trace of malice in her words.] But I can definitely help you with decorations if you need it.

Then you would have my thanks for the kindness. My friend Ellie has said that she will cut the paper, to make decorations. She is going to show me how it is done--but I think that you could help too, if you wanted.

You have made decorations before?

I have, indeed. Much grander fare than the ones we've had here, but beggars can't be choosers.

[There is a pause as she considers.] What kind of prizes were you thinking of?

Well--the decorations seem as if they will be easier to think of, even if they will not be as fine as other tournaments. Prizes have been more difficult, because they must be fine, and a good reward. At a tourney, they might make a gift of a purse of gold or jewels, but we have few of those things here.

So I thought--a crown, crafted new, if someone who worked with the metals in the forge might be willing. A cloak, since it is cold here--I have one that is small, but the cloth could be used, if we could find a willing stitcher, and I know there is other cloth. And there is a piece of jewelry that might be given--I have not yet seen it, but I am sure it is very fine.

It seems that you have thought this through. [Effie is impressed -- she's always admired preparation and forethought in herself and others.]

I have no doubt that most people would be willing to help, if you asked politely enough. As long as you organize your efforts well, you'll pull off this "tourney" smoothly.

Thank you.

[He accepts the compliment graciously enough, even if he drops his gaze in some slight embarrassment.]

Do they hold tourneys, where you are from?

Not tourneys, exactly. We do have competitions and "feasts" afterwards, but they aren't limited to one-on-one combat. [Effie is actually self-aware enough to keep it vague.]

And these are what you helped to plan?

We did not have the chance to have many feasts or tourneys, in the North. There are few willing to come so far. But we have had smaller feasts, and done well, I think.

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